Self-Stigma of Mental Illness in High School Youth
Abstract
Despite the prevalence of mental health problems, society continues to stigmatize and discriminate against people with mental illness and in particular, schizophrenia. Among the negative consequences of stigma, is that some individuals with mental illness internalize negative stereotypes about themselves, referred to as self-stigma, which is associated with a reluctance to seek needed treatment. The challenge to overcome mental illness stigma has led to the development of global anti-stigma initiatives, which effectively engage young people in school-based programs. The present study examines the effectiveness of a single-session anti-stigma intervention with high school youth ( n = 254). The findings replicate and extend previous work demonstrating that a brief anti-stigma initiative can produce significant improvements in knowledge, social distance, and self-stigma. Self-stigma was found to be associated with low self-esteem and factors affecting self-disclosure were identified. Implications for school curricula, mental health policy, and future research are discussed.
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Two studies found a significant reduction in self-stigma surrounding seeking help after the intervention.
“Two studies [101, 104] found a significant reduction in self-stigma surrounding seeking help after the intervention (p < 0.05)”
From What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review (2020) · cites this paper as [104]
Four of the six classroom-based stigma interventions focused on providing interpersonal contact with people with mental health conditions in order to improve acceptance and increase help-seeking intentions.
“Six classroom-based interventions addressing stigma were identified, two of which used psychoeducation to overcome myths regarding mental illness [101, 102] and four focused on providing interpersonal contact with people with mental health conditions in order to improve acceptance and increase help-seeking intentions [103–106].”
From What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review (2020) · cites this paper as [104]
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- Authors
- Hartman, L. I., Michel, N. M., Winter, A., Young, R. E., Flett, G. L., & Goldberg, J. O.
- Affiliations
- York University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Goldberg, Joel O.
- Venue
- Canadian Journal of School Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2013-02-21
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 28-42
- ISSN
- 0829-5735 (ISSN-L)
- 2154-3984
- OpenAlex
- W2093596285
- Cited by
- 45
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 6.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Canadian Journal of School Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- McMaster University
- Canada Research Chairs
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychology and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Roles and Identity Studies
- Keywords
- self-stigma, mental health stigma, stigma reduction interventions, high school students, schizophrenia, social distance, self-esteem, self-disclosure, mental health education, school programs, help-seeking
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